Richard Ryman column: Hansen's expansion slows; Rotary seeks nominees

John Van Lanen's goal of expanding Hansen's Dairy & Deli hit a bump when he decided to close his De Pere location at the end of December.

Van Lanen acquired the Hansen's name and reopened the longtime Green Bay institution in 2010 after a previous owner filed bankruptcy. He relaunched by opening the Gray Street restaurant and added the De Pere store on Broadway in early 2011.

The Gray Street restaurant, always one of the most stable in the company, remains open.

"Gray Street is fine. It's open. We're doing business," he said.

The De Pere restaurant was closed for the most basic of reasons. It wasn't making money.

"When we first opened, there was a lot of traffic. We tried different marketing things, but it waned to the point it was struggling," he said.

Van Lanen's plan was to be operating four stores by next year, but that's on hold now while he tries to find someone to take over the lease of the 124 N. Broadway space.

"We are going to go slowly into the next (expansion)," he said.

Hansen's is known for its chicken, sub sandwiches, ice cream and pizzas.

Hansen Fund Raising Services Inc. and Hansen Frozen Foods are sometimes confused with the restaurant, but are separate companies under different ownership.

Free Enterprise nominees

The Rotary Club of Green Bay will accept nominees for its annual Free Enterprise Award until Feb. 15.

Nominees must serve or have served as president, CEO or owner of a company or organization within the past 12 months, represent a for-profit business, and the business must have an office in Brown County.

The award will be presented during a banquet May 6 at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center, Ashwaubenon.

Mark Skogen, president and CEO of Festival Foods, was last year's Free Enterprise award recipient.